Toad Sage Jiraiya

Lin Mu carefully sensed the changes in his body.

Ten minutes later,

A string of system notifications suddenly rang in Lin Mu's ears.

"Ding! Senju Hashirama Module fragment absorption complete!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Senju Hashirama Module activation progress has reached 10%!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have learned Wood Release: Tree Barrier Jutsu!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have learned Wood Style: Cutting Technique!"

A vast amount of information flooded into Lin Mu's mind. In an instant, he learned these two ninjutsu, as though he had studied them for years.

Lin Mu checked the ninjutsu information.

Wood Style: Tree Barrier Jutsu: A defensive ninjutsu. It could instantly grow a shield made of multiple wooden vines from the ground to protect a target.

Wood Style: Cutting Technique: Long wooden spikes grew from the user's arms and impaled enemies. After piercing an enemy's body, the spikes could be made to branch out further by forming Hand Seals, piercing the enemy from within.

(Note: The number of wooden spikes depends on the user's chakra.)

After understanding the two techniques, delight shone in Lin Mu's eyes.

Although he had previously obtained the Wood Style Body, he hadn't known any Wood Release ninjutsu.

He could only use Wood Release chakra to strengthen his body a little or influence the trees around him.

But learning Wood Style: Tree Barrier Jutsu and Wood Style: Cutting Technique had raised his attack and defense to a whole new level!

After carefully contemplating the two techniques once more, Lin Mu focused his mind and devoted himself to the journey.

In another part of the forest,

Kankuro and Temari raced through the forest, carrying Gaara, who had passed out from the power of the Tailed Beast.

But with someone to carry, they couldn't reach their full speed.

Sasuke Uchiha, who was chasing them, gradually closed the distance. Then, seizing his chance, he leaped forward.

He landed in a tree in front of Gaara and the others, blocking their way.

"You're not getting away this time!"

Kankuro's face immediately darkened.

"Damn it! He caught up while Gaara was unconscious, and of all people, it had to be Sasuke Uchiha!"

If Gaara were awake, Sasuke would naturally be no threat.

But Gaara was unconscious. Kankuro and Temari had also used up a great deal of chakra, and at this point, they were probably no match for Sasuke Uchiha.

Seeing this, Temari didn't hesitate. She leaped up and hurled three kunai at him.

"You take Gaara and go! I'll hold him off. Sunagakure's plan must not be disrupted!"

Sasuke's gaze was cold. He tilted his head slightly and dodged the three kunai.

While Sasuke was dodging the kunai,

Temari leaped into the air, pulled the enormous fan from her back, and swung it with all her strength.

A gale roared up. Sasuke couldn't dodge in time and was sent crashing into a tree behind him.

Before Sasuke could regain his footing, Temari pressed her advantage and swung her fan a few more times.

"Ninja Art: Kamaitachi!"

Several enormous blades of wind shot out. Sasuke dodged desperately, and several huge branches behind him were cut clean through, leaving smooth surfaces.

When the technique subsided, Sasuke flipped onto a branch and swiftly formed Hand Seals.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Streams of fire shot from Sasuke's mouth straight toward Temari.

Temari dodged left and right, but the flames were too dense. One caught her off guard, knocking her to the ground, where she was surrounded by fire.

Seeing his chance from the branch above, Sasuke formed Hand Seals again and used another ninjutsu.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball rushed straight toward Temari.

"Is she dead?"

Sasuke stared intently at the flames below.

Suddenly, the flames were torn apart by a blade of wind, which shot toward Sasuke.

Sasuke was startled, but his body reacted quickly. He leaped to a branch above and dodged the attack.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"

Several kunai, hidden behind the wind blade, flew toward Sasuke.

Sasuke couldn't dodge in time. The kunai struck him, and he fell straight to the ground.

A victorious smile appeared on Temari's face as she walked forward to inspect Sasuke's body.

But just as her hand reached the body, it vanished with a puff, leaving behind a piece of wood.

The Explosive Tag on the wood had already begun to burn!

"Body Replacement Technique!"

Temari was horrified, but it was too late to dodge.

"Boom!"

A tremendous blast erupted, hurling Temari more than ten meters away.

She hit the ground and lost all ability to fight.

Sasuke stood high above, looking at Temari lying helplessly on the ground. He gave a cold laugh.

Then he ignored her and set off after Kankuro, who was fleeing with Gaara.

By now, most of the enemies in Konoha had been driven out.

But several fierce battles were still raging.

One was against that three-headed giant snake!

The three-headed snake was not only enormous, but also impervious to blades and weapons.

All kinds of ninja tools could barely harm it, and ninjutsu of every nature felt like little more than a tickle.

Ibiki, the captain of the shinobi defending against the giant snake, looked grim.

The snake... was about to break through!

Many shinobi had already been gravely injured or killed defending against it!

The village had also been left in ruins by the snake.

But their attacks could only slow its advance.

At this rate, who knew how much more damage Konoha would suffer!

A fierce light flashed in his eyes.

"Even if we can't win, we fight! Even if it costs us our lives, we have to stop it!"

Just as Ibiki prepared to risk his life,

a deep voice rang out.

"Ninja Art Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer Technique!"

A giant toad dropped from the sky and slammed down on the giant snake.

The snake let out a howl of pain and spat out a mouthful of blood!

"Lord Jiraiya!"

When Ibiki recognized the figure standing on the toad, his heart leapt with joy.

The man had long, needle-like white hair and a tall build. The Forehead Protector on his head bore the character for "oil."

He was none other than one of the Konoha Sannin, the Third Hokage's disciple, Toad Sage Jiraiya!

"It's been a long time, Ibiki. Honestly, have you grown in anything but size?"

Standing atop the giant toad's head, Jiraiya looked at Ibiki and teased him.

Ibiki smiled sheepishly, then leaped up and landed beside Jiraiya.

Now Jiraiya turned to the giant snake beside them, his expression completely serious. The playful look he'd worn earlier was gone.

"Has Orochimaru finally made his move?"

Jiraiya's mind was filled with doubts. Seeing Ibiki land beside him, he asked,

"Where's the Hokage?"

"Lord Hokage is at the exam venue."

Ibiki pointed behind him.

Jiraiya looked in that direction and saw the enormous Four Violet Flames Formation. By now, it was completely filled with huge trees!